Earth Day 2010 ironically kicked off with a blazing bonfire at the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, 66km off the Louisiana coastline. The rig was contracted to a BP plc unit (who faces the brunt of bad PR), but it was owned and operated by Transocean Ltd, the world’s biggest offshore drilling contractor. After the initial explosion the platform burned for two days, then it sank into the Gulf of Mexico. WattsUpWithThat explains the drilling technology and below is a graphic from the Times-Picayune showing how difficult it is to shut off the leak. Images, like the one above, can be found on the boston.com site.
Full-scale investigations are under way to determine the cause of this accident, with all parties using the event to advance their … [Read more...]

Here's a great piece by jazz trumpeter Kermit Ruffins. All I want for Christmas is the Saints in the Superbowl! Who dat wear that Black and Gold! Geaux Saints!! Here's a list of other Saints-inspired covers, including an awesome number by Hunter McGregor from MySpace, Here We Go, Soldiers of the Black and Gold. … [Read more...]

It'll be almost five years that I've been working in Phnom Penh. Like other nomads there is no "home" for me. I miss the familiar comforts of family and friends and a community built around a settled life. I miss the food, the law and order, and the extensive range of entertainment and options. But while memories of my time in New Orleans is not as extensive as those of my husband's who grew up on its outskirts, of all places I've lived it is this much maligned, recently battered and often misunderstood city that inspired most my imagination. Here in this city was one of the more waking periods of my life - my greatest risks and biggest mistakes, and some very big decisions. Photos by Keith Kelly.
This year on our visit back we were … [Read more...]

Christmas is amazing for the fact that everyone-- even strangers-- gets caught up in the goodwill and cheer and carries it forward. But then that atmosphere fizzles after the New Year, and it isn't even a nice segue into calmness-- more like someone pulls the plug and abruptly the party's over so go home.
Not so in New Orleans. The end of the holidays marks the start of another season also tied to the winter solstice, Mardi Gras. The trees and lights don't go down, they just get the green, purple and gold ornaments added in. Adults get to be kids again and it all starts with the Twelfth Night Revelers bal masque!
Avoid the French Quarter frat scene-- where Mardi Gras is reduced to a tacky garish spectacle that metrosexual yupster … [Read more...]

Intoxicated fumes of breath and a clammy handshake. Missing teeth in a captivating smile.... N'awlins' reputation precedes it and this is the first impression, before the jazz and blues spin rhythms with the muggy air, before the Cajun spices mount the offensive. Have you been where elegance and refinement consort passionately with the grit and grime? Indolence is King so strap your principles on and hang tight or lose ‘em. It’s a schizophrenic transvestite full of wit, this crazy town. And you’ll never forget her.Knock back some Southern Comfort. This show will be painful. … [Read more...]

Those little feet pitter-pattering about rule our lives lately. But on the occasional free moment I get to tap out scatterbrained bursts of consciousness about raising toddlers in Cambodia, traveling with them and working abroad. These posts are my personal updates to friends and family. But since you’re here, have a look around. Thanks for stopping by…